A PERSONAL donation presented to Alton’s Air Cadets, on behalf of the elderly sister of a former resident, had direct links with both the birth of the Royal Air Force (RAF) 100 years ago and its most famous action in the Second World War, the Battle of Britain.

Betty Parfitt, a 101-year-old now living in California, whose younger brother Ronnie lived in Netherfield Close and later at Borovere Care Home, was eight months old when the Royal Air Force was launched in April 1918.

She is proud to remember that her father whom, sadly, she never knew – she was a toddler when he died – is listed in the very first muster list.

Percy was serving in the Royal Engineers during 1917 when he found himself transferred into the Royal Flying Corps and then into the new RAF for its very first muster in April 1918.

Sadly, he caught a deadly infection early in 1920, when there were no antibiotics, and he died aged only 34.

His young wife Daisy was one of the first people to be helped by the RAF Benevolent Fund with a special pension to support her children. Betty has expressed her gratitude with a separate donation to the fund.

In 1930, at the age of 17, Percy’s son Ronnie followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the RAF, serving for 16 years, including the duration of the Second World War.

Flight-Sergeant ‘Lofty’ Parfitt, re-armed Spitfires during the Battle of Britain on airfields in Kent, and described “narrow squeaks” during enemy raids. He later worked with Mosquito attack and reconnaissance squadrons based in Norfolk.

Well into his 90s, Ronnie always enjoyed seeing Alton’s air cadets around the town. “Very smart” he used to say, with a hint of a tear in his eye.

Which is why his sister chose to mark the RAF’s centenary with a gift of £1,000 to 613 Squadron (Alton) Air Cadets, presented on her behalf by Ronnie’s former Alton neighbour, retired squadron-leader Finlegh Gordon, now of Four Marks.

Alton Air Cadets’ commanding officer, Flight-Lieutenant John Millan, expressed the gratitude of the whole squadron by saying Betty would be written to and assured the money would be put to very good use.

He added: “It is a real privilege for the squadron to receive such a donation, and for our young people to be aware of a historical link with the origins of the Royal Air Force.”